10 apps that gave me free stuff this year

10 apps that gave me free stuff this year

When you’re trying to stretch a budget, free perks matter. I’ve tested out a lot of apps this year—some were duds, but a handful actually delivered real rewards without a catch. These weren’t coupons for stuff I’d never use or points that take a year to add up.

I’m talking about actual free food, products, and gift cards for doing things I was already doing. If you’re willing to sign up, check your email, and stay on top of the offers, these apps can absolutely throw some value your way.

Fetch Rewards

Fetch gives you points every time you scan a receipt—grocery store, gas station, fast food, you name it. The app adds up points fast if you shop name-brand, but even store brands count for something. You can trade those points for gift cards once you hit the threshold.

It takes under ten seconds to scan a receipt, and the points don’t expire if you’re active. I’ve traded mine in for Amazon and Starbucks cards multiple times this year without spending a dime out of pocket.

T-Mobile Tuesdays

If you’re on T-Mobile, their Tuesdays app drops free deals every week. I’ve gotten everything from free food and gas discounts to Dunkin’ drinks and MLB.tv subscriptions. You don’t have to earn points or refer friends—it’s actually just free stuff for being a customer.

You do have to claim the rewards within a short window and sometimes pick them up in person, but for loyal users, the freebies add up fast. It’s worth checking every Tuesday morning before they run out.

Starbucks

The Starbucks app gives out a free drink or food item every year for your birthday, but if you’re using the app regularly, it offers other perks too. You earn stars with every order, and if you stack promotions, those stars can lead to free drinks or bakery items.

The trick is combining double-star days with gift card reload bonuses. If you time it right, you can rack up enough for a few free drinks a month without overspending.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s app deals change all the time, but one thing stays consistent: they hand out free food pretty regularly. I’ve gotten free fries, drinks, and burgers just by opening the app and placing a mobile order. You usually don’t have to spend more than a dollar to qualify.

They also run point systems now, so every order gets you closer to a reward. The best part is that you can often use the deals in-store or at the drive-thru, so it’s convenient either way.

Ulta

The Ulta app is great if you’re buying beauty products anyway. Their rewards program gives you points for every dollar spent, and those points turn into actual dollar-off rewards—no gimmicks. They also give you a free birthday gift each year.

If you wait to use your points during a sale, you can double up your savings and walk away with products that are essentially free. It’s one of the few beauty apps where the rewards really do pay off fast.

Target Circle

Target’s app includes the Circle offers, which rotate weekly and often include freebies. I’ve gotten free travel-size items, snacks, and beauty samples. You do need to activate the offer, but it’s quick and usually applies at checkout without you having to ask.

It also tallies up your spending, and once you hit a threshold, it gives you store credit to use later. It’s not a full-blown cashback program, but it adds up—especially if you’re already doing your household shopping there.

Chick-fil-A One

If you’ve ordered from Chick-fil-A through their app, you’ve probably noticed free food pop up from time to time. I’ve gotten breakfast items, drinks, and even full entrees for free without needing to do anything except have the app installed and be logged in.

You earn points per purchase, which can be redeemed for more food later, and sometimes they’ll give out surprise rewards just for being a regular. It’s one of the more generous fast food apps if you’re a repeat customer.

Ibotta

Ibotta works kind of like a rebate app. You activate offers before you shop, then upload your receipt afterward to get cashback. I’ve used it for groceries, household goods, and even online purchases. The cashback gets added to your account, and once you hit $20, you can cash out.

It’s especially helpful when there’s a bonus offer or a free-after-offer item. This year alone I’ve gotten full rebates on bread, yogurt, and even some cleaning supplies.

Dunkin’

The Dunkin’ Rewards app gives you points per dollar, and those points turn into free drinks and food without much effort. I’ve picked up several free coffees and breakfast sandwiches after using the app regularly for about a month.

They also run frequent promos for bonus points, especially if you visit a few times in a week. If you’re already grabbing coffee in the mornings, it’s an easy way to get something back for it.

Walgreens

Walgreens’ app ties into their myWalgreens rewards system, which offers cashback on qualifying purchases. They also send out free samples and surprise coupons to app users throughout the year—especially around the holidays or during seasonal promos.

You can clip the deals digitally and apply them at checkout, which makes it easy to track. I’ve used points to cover part of my purchases and even scored free personal care items when they ran high-value rewards events.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.